What Is Retinal Detachment & How Does It Affect the Eye?
The health of our eyes and the quality of our vision are so important to a person’s health and wellness. With this in mind, the eye care experts here at Georgia Eye Physicians & Surgeons pride themselves on being able to educate our patients on common vision issues they should be aware of. Today we wanted to focus specifically on retinal detachment, a vision condition that affects roughly 1 in every 300 people and is especially common in adults who are in their 60s and 70s.
Retinal detachment occurs when the retina is pulled away from its normal position at the back of the eye. During a retinal detachment, cells in the retina become isolated from the layer of blood vessels that provide much-needed oxygen and nourishment to the eye. In many cases, retinal detachment results from a small hole developing in the retina, leading to fluid build-up. Some cases of retinal detachment can occur as a reaction to eye trauma or certain infections.
The longer that retinal detachment goes without being treated, the higher the risk of permanent vision loss and other chronic issues. That’s why it’s so important to understand the common warning signs and symptoms of retinal detachment, as well as your unique risk factors.
Risk factors for retinal detachment include the following:
- Family history of the condition
- Any serious injury or trauma to the eyes
- Previous history of retinal detachment or other retina issues
- Extreme nearsightedness (myopia)
- A history of vision surgery including cataract surgery
While retinal detachment is rarely a cause of pain, there are symptoms to look out for. This includes the sudden appearance of floaters, tiny specks that drift through the field of vision, as well as flashes of light in one or both eyes, blurred vision, reduced peripheral vision, and more. However, every person is different and some people with retinal detachment don’t experience any symptoms at all.
Undergoing routine eye exams is a critical aspect of preventing and diagnosing this condition when it is in its earliest and most treatable stages. Doing so can help detect small asymptomatic retinal holes, tears, and detachments from progressing. For more information on retinal detachment or to book an appointment with our expert ophthalmologist or optometrist, please contact Georgia Eye Physicians & Surgeons today. You can also follow along with us on Facebook for more eye care tips, news, and much more.
